Bergenia Strechi

Family Saxifragaceae. It grows in the northwestern Himalayas, most often on rocky slopes.

Stems creeping, rooting along their entire length. Leaves ovate, glossy, with toothed, incised margins, up to 50 cm long. Flowers white or lilac-pink, gathered in racemose inflorescences on scapes up to 60 cm tall. Blooms in May for 2-3 weeks. Fruits in July. In cultivation since 1851. Based on Bergenia Strechi, German breeders who worked extensively with this species created a series of cultivars with stems creeping like the species, small ovate-elliptic leathery leaves that turn reddish by autumn, and rather large cup-shaped flowers on sturdy tall scapes (flowering in April-May):

'Альба' ('Alba') - the wild form with white flowers.

'Бетховен' ('Beetchoven') - with pure white flowers, brown calyces and pink scapes, plant height 40 cm.

'Бельведер' ('Belveder') - the most miniature of the Bergenias, with small leaves 4-6 cm and white flowers that later turn pink, plant height 20 cm.